An Arbor Day Foundation grant will pay for DNR and its Northwest Region Office to plant 104,425 western red cedar, noble fir, and lodgepole pine seedlings on state trust land. The $42,998-grant will help reforest state trust lands in the state’s northwest region. The DNR management region includes Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan, and Island counties and a corner of King County.
In the past, forestlands were planted mainly with Douglas fir after timber harvests. It made economic sense at the time — at least in the short-term — because Douglas fir brought high value in the timber market. But the result over time was the creation of tree plantations with little of the natural diversity of a healthy forest. These days, DNR aims for a more natural diversity of tree species in replanting and restoration projects. Seedlings for many of the trees in this project will come from DNR’s Webster Forest Nursery.
The species we’re planting and why Western red cedar is one of the most important species planted on state lands. This species has maintained high value over time and provides a wealth of ecological benefits, including the creation of long-lasting snags and down, woody debris on which many animal species depend. This also is a tree of significant cultural value to Northwest Native American tribes.
Noble fir is the largest of the true firs in the Pacific Northwest. It has many wood characteristics that are superior to other native true firs (higher strength ratios and less taper in the trunk). This species also makes valuable products for the holiday market, such as boughs. It is common in southwest Washington but small populations are found in the northwestern region, too.
DNR also plants a limited number of lodgepole pine, which occurs in small pockets in western Washington. It is found in reasonably high concentrations on one of the sites planned to be reforested this winter.
Seed from lodgepole pine and the other species was collected and grown at DNR’s Webster Nursery so that the areas will be replanted with seedlings best adapted to the site.
The Arbor Day Foundation works in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters to identify reforestation projects that help support healthy state forests. Forests recovering from fire, storms, disease, and insect damage are candidates for grants to help pay for reforestation.
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